22 April 2011

Big Punter Fletcher Guilty In El-Issa "Non-Trier" Inquiry

Racing Queensland stewards yesterday (April 20) found prominent punter Stephen Fletcher "was a party to the failure of the horse" Bold Glance (ridden by Bobby El-Issa) to "run on its merits" when beaten by Essington at Eagle Farm on February 26. 011. The stewards noted: El-Issa did not run Bold Glance on its merits; Fletcher is a close associate of El-Issa; Fletcher is a large scale professional punter; prior to the race in question, Fletcher had a history of successfully laying horses ridden by El-Issa to the extent that is not similar to any other rider; Fletcher's explanation is not supported by his Betfair history; Fletcher was a significant financial beneficiary of El-Issa's failure to run Bold Glance on its merits; Fletcher's backing of Essington & laying of Bold Glance was done on the basis of information from El-Issa that Bold Glance would not try to defeat Essington. El-Issa was recently disqualified for 2 years over the matter & stewards have now sought Fletcher's submissions in respect to the penalty that may be applied to him.